The Review:So I was a good ways into this book before I realized this was actually the sequel to another book. A few little things confused me, but I am happy to say the book is really so well written that you don't have to have read the first book in order to understand the second. This book was very unique in that the world was so similar and yet dissimilar to ours. I went into it thinking it would be very Sci Fi or distopian feeling, and while it had elements of that, I really wouldn't classify it as such. I enjoyed the fact that the author told a great story without anything gratuitous. This is a book I'd let my teens read. It's full of adventure, and I really respected the theme of people learning how to become the best versions of themselves in difficult situations. Great read and highly recommended! (Btw I am reading the first book now.)Ideal Audience:Good for young boys, possibly ages 10+ especially, because the hero is a boy, but I think girls would enjoy it too!Books and movies you would compare this to:Elements of Gladiator.

The Review:I was able to dive right in, despite not having read previous installments in this series. There is a little bit of catch up with characters who obviously have a lot of history, but it was inserted naturally and quickly enough that things kept moving.

This world has believable characters and an extremely complex magic system. It moves at a quick pace, and leads to a satisfying ending, with some "this'll be resolved later" threads but no major cliffhangers. It's also kind of good, quirky fun to see our very normal world mixed with elaborate magical systems and other worldly areas ... plus I'm a sucker for a mechanical cat. Did I mention this has a mechanical cat?I received an ARC in return for my honest review.Ideal Audience:People who like complex magical systems and quirky characters

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?I DID mention the mechanical cat?

Rating:PGReason for choice of rating:A few fight scenes. Also, the issue of slavery might be upsetting for very young readers.

The Review:I actually read the books out of order, so I read this after the Gladiator and the Guard. It was definitely another great read from this author. It's easy to get swept away into the fantasy/futuristic/dystopian world she creates. I love the main character, Bensin, who is wise beyond his years but also has a heart as big as the sky. His love for his young sister is admirable, but he is also a completely believable character who wins some and loses some. His coach is probably my favorite character: a man wrestling with his conscience against the evils of slavery, while also treating his slaves as well as he can. Of course, Ellie is as cute as can be, and there are some great action scenes. I would recommend this book 100% to any teens or adults. Can't wait for Book #3 in the series!

Ideal Audience:Good for young boys, possibly ages 10+ especially, because the hero is a boy, but I think girls would enjoy it too!

Books and movies you would compare this to:Of course parts of it remind me of Gladiator.

I read Andrew Lang's "Beauty and the Beast" right before I read "Rose of Prophecy" so I could see how different this re-telling was. The key elements of the original story were present in "Rose of Prophecy" but little changes here and there made this story much better than the original in my opinion. One change early on, that I don't think is a big spoiler and that I really liked, is that this family actually loved each other and the siblings weren't spoiled and selfish.

The author's ability to paint pictures with her words was amazing. I love the first lines of the book. "I am afraid. Not because I am alone. Not because thick roiling clouds obscure the moon. Not because the wind rushes through the forest like a wild dragon. I am afraid because I am late. And to be late means death." The imagery is very vivid and the words hooked me right away. I didn't understand exactly what the words meant until I got farther into the story but I definitely wanted to find out what was going on. Even if this had been just a straight re-telling with no twists/changes in the story, it would have still been a pleasure to read.

The most exciting part for me however was how the author made this into a Christian retelling. It took me a little while to realize that the King represented God and the Prince was Jesus but once I did, I really enjoyed watching the battle unfold between the King/the Prince and Tauscher (Satan). By the end of the novella, it became clear how Beauty and the Beast's story fit into this overarching battle between the King/Prince and Tauscher.

Ideal Audience:Those who enjoy the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale and would like a Christian element added to the story

Books and movies you would compare this to:Chronicles of Narnia; The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

What mood did this book leave you in?Excited to read more by this author

Rating:PGReason for choice of rating:Nyssa is forced to break laws by the gang of thieves who has "adopted" her. One person is killed.

The Review:This is my first Nyssa Glass story but it will not be my last because I have fallen in love with the character of Nyssa!

I have no idea if I like the steampunk genre in general, this is my first steampunk too, but I would love Nyssa no matter what environment she was in. Life has put her in a bad place (forced to become a thief) but she still has the courage to do what she believes is right despite the consequences.

I can't wait to see how her courage and ingenuity are put to the test throughout the series! I have purchased all five books in the series and am just waiting for time to read them.

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?Loved, loved, loved Nyssa (but I already said that LOL!)What mood did this book leave you in?More please!Applicable Tags:Steampunk/Gaslight, Young Adult

Rating: PGReason for choice of rating:Marking this PG due to a number of fights/attacks in this story with many "bad guys" getting killed. The injuries/deaths that occur are not graphically described.

The Review:I didn't enjoy this story as much as I thought I would based on the other stories I have read by the author. I think this was primarily due to personal taste though because the story was not badly written.

Finding out that Victoria's Uncle Jack had taken out a hit on his sister, Victoria's mother, on page 2 of the story didn't bode well for the remaining story since I am personally bothered by stories where family members are out to get each other (the reason I have never liked Lion King). I don't like zombies and avoid zombie stories so having zombies as the featured monsters in "Awakening" was an unpleasant surprise. I didn't realize that 'undead' in the story description meant zombies. Despite all the zombies and other bad guys, it seemed that Victoria went from one danger to the next with very little consequence until the very end of the story making it hard for me to get concerned about her or the other characters. I found the pattern of changing the speaker for every chapter to be a little jarring. I had to figure out who was speaking with each new chapter and then get back into the story.

A number of the characters in the story were interesting. Victoria was funny in the first chapter as she described all the bad things she had been through. I can just imagine a teenager saying these lines that open the book: "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that my life has gone the way it has. Some people are just doomed." I was looking forward to hearing more from Victoria but the book seemed to turn primarily to action in subsequent chapters and I didn't get to hear more of her wittiness. Katrina and Tellen were good friends to Victoria and they were always watching out for her to keep her safe. Shadow was also very interesting. Is he a good guy, a bad guy, hard to say but intriguing.

While I didn't love this story, I would still encourage others to read it. If you don't have the same personal issues with zombies and crazy, evil relatives that I do, you will probably enjoy the story.

Ideal Audience:Those who like zombies and non-stop danger

What mood did this book leave you in?Disappointed - I had expected to really like this story but that did not turn out to be the case

The Review:I thoroughly enjoyed this second story in the Firethorn Chronicles. I am not familiar with a Midsummer Night's Dream so am not sure how closely inspired by it this story is but the bad guy (or girl in this case) was very sinister and the romance was sweet in Lea Doue's version.Princess Gwen is a force to be reckoned with and I enjoyed getting to know her in this story after primarily focusing on Princess Lily in The Firethorn Crown.I appreciated that this was a complete story on its own but I am still looking forward to learning more about the princesses when Lea finishes book 3 later this year (2017).

Ideal Audience:Anyone who loves fairytale re-tellings and dragonsDid you have a favorite character or least favorite character?Sissi is creepy; I like Prince Edric and Princess Gwen - both are quite resourceful and care for othersWhat mood did this book leave you in?Eager to read more about these characters and this world​Applicable Tags:Dragon, Fairy Tale, Princesses, Romance

Title and Author:King's Warrior by Jenelle Leanne SchmidtName of Reviewer:Jolyn SafronRating:PGReason for choice of rating:A lot of people are killed in the book (no graphic details) between attacks on the towns and battle scenes.

The Review:When I started this story, I thought it was about Princess Kamarie but it turned out to be so much more! Many interesting characters including dragons and other mythical creatures. Lots of action including both large and small battles (none of which are graphically described but you still feel very engaged with the participants) but the friendships are the best part. Characters moving from simply travel companions to friends willing to fight and die for each other. Can't forget some interesting secrets revealed along the way either. All in all, a very satisfying tale and I look forward to more adventures with these characters in the next book.

Ideal Audience:Good for those who love dragons (although these dragons aren't loveable); enjoy epic battles between the strong and the weak where the weak refuse to give up; and want to really connect with the characters in a story.

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?I like most all of the characters but I think Oraeyn was my favorite. He isn't intimidated by Princess Kamarie but takes his job of protecting her very seriously. He also doesn't give in to fear when it is time to actually put his training to the battle test.

The Review:Still enjoyable the second time around.I first read this story as part of the Fantastic Creatures anthology from Fellowship of Fantasy. Read it again now that it is a stand-alone book and I still enjoyed it.I like that Ryll and Jorey are not royalty in this Frog Prince re-telling. Also Ryll is really nice (not self-centered as princesses often are). The curses add an interesting twist to the story.Oh yes, the cover is gorgeous!

Rating:GThe Review:Cute story about a girl named Cassie who sees fairies. The story is written for elementary kids but I still enjoyed the story as an adult. I particularly liked the fact that Cassie's parents believed her when she told them that she could see fairies. I really liked this statement by her father: "I think I do [believe you]," her father said at last. "I try not to believe anything is impossible unless it's been disproven. And fairies ... well, there are plenty of myths and legends about them around the world. They could be true."Ideal Audience:Elementary age students

Reviews by Readers

This blog features reviews of Fellowship of Fantasy titles submitted by readers.All reviews are the opinion of the reviewer, not necessarily of the Fellowship of the Fantasy's administrators or authors.Likewise content ratings applied to the books are at the discretion of that particular reader/reviewer. What may be a G for one may be PG for another.